Domestic appliance



Oct. 2, 1951 FRY DOMESTIC APPLLANCE Filed Dec. 27, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.2

FIG. 3

FIG.4 M

Oct. 2 1951 F 2,569,753

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed De c. 27, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 la I la 7 v 5 as 5, a! l 37 27 30 2.5

2.9 32. F'IG.5

Oct. 2, 1951 M. E. FRY

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 27, 1946 Oct. 2, 1951 M, FRY

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 2'7, 1946 FIG.

F|G.I5 M I ENTOR. 1-10.14 By 4? Patented Oct. 2 1951 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE.

Millard E. Fry, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application December 27, 1946, Serial No. 718,745

14 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic appliances, and more particularly-to electric ranges, or the like. a

An object of this invention is to provide a range in which a cooking well may be changed or transformed into a top cooking unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a range in which a top cooking unit may be changed or transformed into a cooking well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of changing from a cooking well into a top cooking unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of changing'from a top cooking unit into a cooking well. t

Another object of this invention is to provide a cooking well sleeve having a construction at the bottom adapted to support a heating unit while said unit is in-horizontal position; but permitting removal of said unit through said bottom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heater supporting ring adapted to support a heating unit substantially in the plane of the cooking top; but permitting removal of said unit downwardly through said ring.

'Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a'vertical cross-sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing a portion of a range with a cooking well therein, according to this invention,together with an auxiliary or companion top cooking unit;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are similar to Fig. 1; showing progressive steps in changing from cooking "well to top cooking unit;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking well;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on the same scale as Fig. 5 showing the top cooking unit;

' Fig. 7 is a view along the line I! of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is an enlargement of part of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a partial top plan view of Fig. 4, en-

larged; l

Fig. 10 is an enlargement of part of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a broken, vertical cross-section of a modified well;

Fig. 12 is a top view of part of the cooking top;

' Fig. 13 is a top plan view of part of the well;

Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-section of part of the well with utensil removed;

2 Fig. 15 is a vertical cross-section of part of the ring to be used in Fig. 11; and

Fig. 16 is a horizontal cross-section along the line |6-I6 of Fig. 15.

As herein used, the words cooking well are intended to define, more or less broadly, that type of construction wherein a tubular well or sleeve depends from the surface of a cooking top, and is provided with a heating unit at the bottom. The well is sufiiciently deep to receive a cooking utensil which substantially fills the well, so that the contents of the utensil are cooked by the heating unit at the bottom of the well, while the utensil is insulated by the sleeve of the well. As an example, a cooking well, of previous construction, is disclosed, in the patent to McCor-.

mick, No. 2,217,804, patented October 15, 1940.

As herein used, the words top cooking unit are intended to define, more or less broadly, that type of construction wherein a heating unit is provided substantially in the same plane (or slightly above) as that of the surface of the cooking top of the range. Cooking utensils are placed on these top cooking units and generally extend entirely above the top of the range and are not insulated by any structure of the range. A top cooking unit of previous construction is disclosed, for example, in the patent to McCormick, No. 2,320,041, patented May 25, 1943.

In previous construction, the cooking well has been more or less permanently secured in the range, and has required a skilled Serviceman to disconnect it from the power lines in the range, and it could not be readily transformed or altered into a top cooking unit. Likewise, the top cooking units previously have been intended to be used permanently only at the top surface of the range, with no provision for transforming them intocooking Wells. According to my invention, one or all of the top cooking units of the range may be readily changed or transformed into cooking wells, or vice versa, and this may be readily and quickly accomplished by the daily user of the range, without the aid of a skilled servicemanor electrician. Thus the daily user of the range may quickly and often change from one type to the other, as the daily needs dictate. The flexibility of the range is thus greatly increased. 1

A range, according to my invention, may include a cooking top In provided-with a plurality of openings I I, I2, etc. Usually there are four such openings, of various sizes. All of these openings may be provided, if desired, with my interchangeable cooking well and top cooking unit construction. However, for purposes of illustration, one or more openings II are shown with top cooking units I3 of previous construction, such as disclosed in Patent 2,320,041, and only one opening I2 is shown with my interchangeable construction. It is obvious, however, that the units in openings II may also be of my novel construction.

The opening I2 is adapted to support,- interchangeably, the cooking well sleeve I4, or the ring l5, by means of the depending L-shapedflange IS. The heating unit 20 is made; removable from, and insertable in the well sleeve I4 and heater ring l5. Wheri the bottom of sleeve I4 (Fig. 1) and is adapted to support and heat the cooking utensil 2 l with- I the well sleeve I4 is being used, the heating unit 26 supported at of top I0 (Fig. 4) so that cooking utensils may be heated and supported above the top I0.

Conveniently, the heating" unit 20 may be of construction substantially as disclosed in Patent No. 2,320,041. Thus it may include one or more tubular sheathed electric heaters 24 with their major portions sinuously arranged with their upper surfaces in a plane slightly above the top of a supporting ring 25, with their ends down wardly directed at 28, and terminating'in a connector construction 21 to which the flexible power lines (in the form of a cable 28) are secured. The metal reflector 29 is provided with a cutaway slot 30 removably to receive the ends 25 of the heaters, and has an outwardly directed flange 3 I, and a drain opening 32. The ring 25 supports a spider construction 3-3 to which the heaters 24 are welded.

The well sleeve I4 is supported on the flange I6 by means of an outwardly directed flange 35, The lower portion of sleeve I4 is contracted at 36 and is provided with the flange construction 31 which supports the heater ring 25 and flange 3I of reflector 29. Thus the heater unit 20 is supported (while in horizontal position) at the bottom of the cooker Well l4.

The well sleeve I4 is removable upwardly through the opening I2. as shown in Fig. 2, and the heating unit 20 is removable downwardly through the bottom of sleeve l4 without disconnecting the power lines 28. For this purpose the power line cable 28 is of suificient length and flexibility to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, thus permitting the sleeve I4 to be lifted upa wardly, and the unit 20 to be tilted to vertical position. The flange 31 is provided with notched construction at 38 to permit the ring 25 and flange 3| to slide downwardly (or upwardly), as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. Thus the well sleeve I4 may be removed from the range in preparation to convert into a top cooking unit (or vice versa), and the heating unit 20 may be removed from or inserted in the sleeve l4 without disconnecting cable 28. I

The top cooking unit is formed by inserting the heating unit 20 upwardly (While in vertical position) through the ring l5, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9, then turning the unit 20 to horizontal position and resting the ring l5 and unit 20 on flange I6 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The converse operation is performed when it is desired to convert into a cooker well. I

The ring I5 is provided with an outer downwardly directed flange 39 adapted to rest on flange I6. The ring I5 also has an inner down: wardly and inwardly directed flange 40 adapted to support the heater ring 25 and reflector flange 3 I,when they are in horizontal position. To make the heater unit 20 removable from, or insertable in, the ring I5, the flange 40 is provided with a notched construction 4I. Thus the heater unit 20 may be removed from, or inserted in, ring I5 without disconnecting the power lines 28.

The power lines 28 ai'eeohnect'ed to fixed wiring in the range. Thus the bank of heater switches 42 is supported on switch bar 43. Switch knobs 44 operate the switches 42, one of which is connected to cable 28 and controls the heaters 24 in the unit 23,- for example, as disclosed in Mac-tension Patent No. 2,259,258, patented October 14:,- 1941. other switches 42 control the remain-ing heaters otthe range. The switches 42 are also connected to lead in power lines plugged into a source of electrical power, as is well understood.

. Thus I have provided a; construction and method for changing a cooking well into a top cooking unit (or vice versa) without disconnecting the power lines, and without requiring any skilled service men or electricians.

In the practice of my invention; assuming that the cooking well sleeve I4 has, been inuse, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and the user wishes to convert to. top cooking unit construction, the well sleeve I4 is lifted upwardly and the heater unit 20 is removed downwardly, asshown in Figs. 2 and 7. The heater unit 20 is then; inserted upwardly through ring I5, as shown in Figs. 3 and 9. The heater unit 20 is then turned to horizontal position on the ring I5 and both are then placed onthe flange I6, asshown in- Figs. 4' and 6. Cooking may then be performed on top 01- the range on unit 20. I

A converse operation is performedwhen it is desired to convert from thetop cooking unitof Figs. 4 and 6 to the cooking well unit of Figs. 1 and 5. Upon completion of this converse operation, cooking may be performed in the compartment formed below the cooking top by the insulating sleeve I4. v p

The range cooking top Ill, the cooking well I4, the adapter ring- IS, and theheating ,unit 20,- heretofore described, may be provided with-means for preventing the accidental turning of these members about a vertical axis, for example, while being brushed or wiped.- Such means are dic closed in Figs. 11 through 16. In addition, the cover 50, for the utensil 2i, may be used as the cover of the well I4, when the utensil- 2| is removed, as indicated in Figs-.- i l: and 1e. I

Various members shown Figs. 11 through 16, are understood to be similar to corresponding members in Figs. 1 through lO. The same designating numbers have been used, with the suffix a added, and it is understood that; the same construction, mode of operation, and function are present in the various members illustrated in Figs. 11 through 16,; that have been previously described with regard to Figs. 1 through 10, with the additional function that means for preventing accidental rotation about a vertical axis have been added. H

Thus, referring to Figs. 11 through 16, the cooking top Illa is provided with an opening I-2a, having a depending L-shaped flange IGa. At; one place on the circumference of the flange I641. a notch 5I is formed by striking down a shor't portion 52 of the flange Ita This notch 5| receives a corresponding notch 53 fornied in the outwardly directed flange 35d of the cooking well Ila. The notch 53 is formed by striking down a portion of the flange 35b. in the form of a V- 5, shaped notch. Thus when the well Ila-is placed in the opening In, with the notches and 53 superimposed upon each other, the well I do is locked against accidental rotation about a vertical axis. This prevents the user from imposing dangerous strains on the connecting cables, simi-v lar to 28, when the interior of the well a is being cleaned by a turning movement of a cleaning cloth or the like.

Likewise the heating unit a is locked against turning movement about a vertical axis when the heating unit 20a is properly placed in the well Ila. To this end, the flange construction 370., at the bottom of well Ila, is provided with two oppositely directed slots, or notched constructions 38a, one of which serves the double purpose of allowing the heating unit '20 to be removed downwardly, as previously described with regard to Figs. 1 through 10, and also to aid in looking the heater unit 2041 when it is properly in place at the bottomof the well Ma.

The ring a, of the heater-unit 20a, has an outer, downwardly directed flange 55 and an inner downwardly directed flange 56. These two flanges are bridged by a short metal piece 51, which is adapted to enter one of the notches 38a, and thus lock the heating unit 20a against rotation.

Thus the well [4a is locked against rotation by the notches 52 and 53, and the heater 20a is locked against rotation by the piece 51, which lodges in the notch 380;.

Similarly the adapter ring [5a is provided with means to lock it against rotation, when it is placed in the opening l2a, and it is provided with means for locking the heater unit 2011 against similar rotation within the ring I5a. Thus the outer downwardly directed flange 39a, of ring [5a may be provided with a downward and slanting lobe 58 adapted to cooperate with the notch 5| to lock the ring l5a against rotation when it is properly placed in the opening l2a. The lobe 58 conveniently may be made by welding a metal piece 59 on the insideof the flange 39a, the piece 58 having, integrally formed therewith, the lobe 58.

Tolock the heater unit 20a inside the ring I5a, the notched construction Ma maybe used. The notched construction 4|a conveniently may be the same notched construction 4| previously described in Figs. 1 through 10, one notch of which serves the double purpose of allowing the heater unit 20a to be removed downwardly through the ring l5a., and to receive the bridging member 51, thus to lock the heater 20a. against rotation within the ring [5a.

The cover 50a, of the utensil 2| a may also be used as the cover for the well Ma, when the utensil is removed. This is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 14, wherein the cover circular bead 60 of the top flange SI of the utensil 2| a, or within the circular bead 62 of the top flange 35a of the well Ila. The circular head 62 terminates at 63 and 64 to allow the formation of the notch 53; but otherwise may continue completely around the circular flange 3511'.

The cover 50a may be provided with a handle (not shown), similar to the handle'55 of the cover 50.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.-

What is claimed isasfollows: 1. In combination: a range with a cooking top having a circular opening; a cylindrical cooking well having an outward upper flange resting on the periphery of said opening and having its main cylindrical body depending below said opening a suflicient distance to accommodate a substantial portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top, said well having an inwardly directed flange at its lower end; a heating unit inside said well resting on said inwardly directed flange and having flexible wiring connected to flxed wiring on said range; said inwardly directed flange being notched to permit said heating unit to be removed through the bottom of said 'well without disconnecting said flexible wiring and to permit said well to be removed upwardly through said opening,

, 2. In combination: a range with a cooking top having a circular opening; a cylindrical cooking well having an outward upper flange resting on the periphery of said opening and having its main cylindrical body depending below said.opening a suflicient distance to accommodate a substantial portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top, said well having an inwardly directed flange at its lower end; a heating unit inside said well resting on said inwardly directed flange and having flexible wiring connected to fixed wiring on said range; said heating unit including a heating resistance member supported to provide a flat heating surface and connected to said flexible wiring, together with a circular dish-shaped reflector below said resistance hav- 'ing a central drain opening and a side connectornotch to permit said reflector to be removed from. said heating unit without flexible wiring; said inwardly directed flange being notched to permit said heating unit to be removed through the bottom of said well with-- out disconnecting said flexible wiring and to permit said well to be removed upwardly through:

, said opening.

3. In combination: a range with a cooking" top having an opening; a vertical tubular struc-- turesupported from said cooking top and de-- pending below said cooking top asuflicient dis-- tanceto accommodate a substantial portion of 3,,

cooking utensil below said cooking top, said struca rests within the said cooking top,

" ture having an outward flange at the top to sup-- port said structure in said opening and having" an inward flange at the bottom; a heating unit: resting on said inward flange; flexible wiring: connecting said heating unit with fixed wiring:

- on said range; said inward flange being notched so that said unit is supported on said flange when in a horizontal position, but may be removed downwardly through said tubular structure without disconnecting said flexible wiring when said unit is turned from said horizontal position.

4. The method of changing from a cooking well accessible through and depending from an opening in the cooking top of a range and which accommodates a substantial portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top into a top cooking unit accessible at and substantially at the same plane of said cooking top and which accommodates a cooking utensil entirely above which comprises removing said well through said opening, removing the heating unit of said well through the bottom of said well without disconnecting the power lines which extend from said range to said heating unit, then inserting said heating unit in a supporting ring Without disconnecting said nnwer 'li'nnn nhfl vanidisconnecting said,

mg said supporting ring on the periphery of said opening.

5. The method of changing from a top cooking unit supported on the periphery of an opening of a cooking top of a range and accessible at and substantially at the same plane of .said cooking top and which accommodates a cooking uterisilentirely above said cooking top into a cooking well accessible through and depending from said opening and which accommodates a substantial portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top which comprises removing the heating unit from a ring which supports the unit on the periphery of said opening without discon necting power lines which extend from said heating unit to said range, inserting said heating unit through the bottom of said cooking well without disconnecting said power lines, and then inserting said cooking well into said opening and supporting said Well by the periphery of said opening.

' 6. In combination: a cooking we'll tubular sleeve having an outwardly directed flange at the top adapted to rest on the periphery of an opening in a cooking top, and having an inward- 1y directed flange at the bottom adapted tosupport a heating unit sufliciently below said cooking top to accommodate the major portion of a cooking receptacle within said sleeve and below said cooking top, said inwardly directed flange being notched to permit removal of said heating unit through the bottom of said sleeve.

7. In combination: a cooking well tubular sleeve having an outwardly directed flange at the top adapted to rest on the periphery of an opening in a cooking top, and having an inward-- ly directed flange at the bottom, a generally flat heating unit resting on said flange and being located suflicientlybelow said cooking top to accommodate the-major portion of a cooking receptacle within said sleeve and below said cooking top, said inwardly directed flange being notched to permit removal of said heating unit through the bottom of said sleeve. 8. In combination: a range with a cooking top having an opening; a tubular cooking well supported from said cooking top, depending below said opening and removable upwardly through said opening, said well accommodating a major portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top; a heating unit; flexible wiring connecting said heating unit with fixed wiring on said range; and supporting means detachably supporting said heating unit at the lower end of said well to permit said well to be removed from said well without disconnecting said wiring; and including means for locking said heating unit against accidental rotation about a vertical axis.

9. In combination: a range with a cooking top having a circular opening; a cylindrical cooking well having an outward upper flange resting on the periphery of said opening and having its main cylindrical body depending below said opening and having an inwardly directed flange at its lower end, said well accommodating a major portion of a cooking utensilbel'ow said cooking top; a heating unit inside said 'well resting on said inwardly directed flange and having flexible wiring connected to fixed wiring on said range; means to remove said well upwardly through said opening and said heating unit through the bottom of said well without disconnecting said flexible wiring; and means for lockingsaid well against accidental rotation about a vertical axis.

10. In combination: a range with a top having a circular opening; a cylindrical cooking well having an outward upper flange resting on the periphery ofsaid opening and having-its main cylindrical body depending below said opening and having an inwardly directed flange at its lower end, said well accon'imodating a major portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top; a heating unit inside said well resting on said inwardly flange and having flexible wiring connected to fixed wiring on said range; means to remove said well upwardly through said opening and said heatingunit through the bottom of said well without disconnecting said flexible wiring; means for locking said heating unit against accidental rotation about a vertical axis.

-11. In combination: a range with'a cooking top having a circular opening; a cylindrical cooking well having an outward upper flange resting on the periphery of said opening and having its main cylindrical body depending below said opening and having an inwardly directed flange at its lower end, said well accommodating a majorportion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top;

I a heating unit inside said well resting on said inwardly directed flange and having flexible wiring connected to fixed wiring on said range; means to remove said well upwardly through said openmg said'heating unit through the bottom of said well without disconnecting said flexible wiring; means for locking said well against accidental rotation about a vertical axis and means for locking said heating unit against rotation about a vertical axis.

i 12. In combination; a range with a cooking tophaving a circular opening; a cylindrical cooking well having an outward upper flange resting on the periphery of said opening and having its main cylindrical body depending below said opening a sufficient distance to accommodate a substan'tial portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top, said well having an inwardly directed flange member at its lower end; a heating unit member inside said well resting on said inwardly directed flange member and having flexible wiring connected to fixed wiring on said range; one ofsaid members being notched to permitc said heating unit member to be removed through the bottciri-oi said well without disconnecting said flexible wiring and to permit said well to be removed upwardly through said opening.

13. in combination: a range with a cooking top having an ripening; a vertical tubular structure supported from said cooking top and depending below s'aid'cooking top a sufficient distance to accommodate a substantial portion of a cooking utensil below said cooking top, said structure having an outward flange at the top to support saidstructure' in said opening and having aninward flange member at the bottom; a heating unit member resting on said inward flange; member; flexible wiring connecting said heating unit member with fixed wiring on said range;- one of said members being shaped so that said unit member is supported on said flange member wherrin a horizontal position, but may be removed downwardly through said tubular struc ture without disconnecting said flexible wiring when said unit member is turned from said horizontal position.

14. Inn'combination: a cooking well tubular sleeve having an (iutwardly directed flange at the top adapted to rest on the periphery of an opening in acoj'oking top, and having an inwardly directed'flange member at the bottom, a general- 9 1y fiat heating unit member resting on said flange member and being located sufficiently below said cooking top to accommodate the major portion of a cooking receptacle within said sleeve and below said cooking top, one of said members being notched to permit removal of said heating unit member through the bottom of said sleeve.

MILLARD E. FRY.

REFERENCES CI'TED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,378,566 Shroyer May 17, 1921 1,983,118 Bourque Dec. 4, 1934 5 2,229,873 Rodgers Jan. 28, 1941 2,260,793 Russell Oct. 28, 1941 2,416,645 Rutenber Feb. 25, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS m Number Country Date 51,784 Germany May 5, 1890 638,668 France May 31, 1928 

